As of today, there are 371 public schools in Maine (according to The Dictionary Project website). Of those, only 27 have a Dictionary Project Sponsor so far this year. That’s slightly over 7%.
The good news is that it’s still early in the year, and we can do better! If you have been sponsoring in the past, it’s time to start working on this year’s effort.
If you haven’t been a sponsor, this is a good year to start. For a list of unsponsored schools, visit the Dictionary Project Website. Remember, we have many great resources available on our MSG Words for Thirds Resource Page. We’ll even provide you with your Grange’s very own logo!
There are also Rotary, Kiwanis, and Elks Clubs that sponsor schools in Maine. One possibility might be to partner with a local civic organization in your area, particularly if you’re concerned about the cost and effort involved. There are several dictionaries available to choose from. All come in cases of 24 at a cost of around $100 per case, including shipping. Obviously, much depends on school size, but you can start a powerful community service with a minimum investment!
In addition to having a great “Art, Craft and Collectables sale a few days ago, we had a particularly enjoyable and productive Grange meeting last evening. We had 12 members present for discussions about the upcoming Bean Supper, the establishment of our new Grange officers, and the updating and installation of our Executive Committee members.
This Saturday, October 18th, we are having our famous Ocean View Grange Bean Supper. The Odd Fellows will join us, and we expect a good turnout.
Today was our Words for Thirds dictionary presentation to our local 3rd-grade class in Tenants Harbor. Leslie Korpinen (our wonderful Musician) joined me in what turned out to be truly fun and enjoyable meeting with this group of kids. We gave a presentation of what the Grange was, where it was located, what Grange people did, when our Grange was formed, and why Granges were needed. It was very well received.
It has always been a surprise to me that, in a world of electronic communication, the class was so pleased, happy, and energetic to receive the books. The class was actually proud to receive books and be told they could keep them for their very own. Many questions were asked by the class, and they were serious and intelligent questions. One of the lads in the group came up with, perhaps the best observation of the day. He said, “The dictionary is like the paper version of Google!” We all laughed and roundly applauded him for his observation and acumen. I was especially happy to hear that the class was curious about the Grange Hall, and we noted that if they want to take a field trip to our Grange Hall, we will gladly give them a tour. Let’s hope that happens.
The Dictionary Project recently recognized Valley Grange‘s Words for Thirds Project in their “Word of the Day” newsletter. The Word of the Day was “excel.” We strive to do so, and we encourage our students to do the same.
By the way, the dictionaries for this year are arriving today! Dictionary Days are coming soon to Brownville, Harmony, Piscataquis Community, Ridgeview, and SeDoMoCha Elementary Schools.
Our October Meeting has been rescheduled to October 10, 2025, due to a conflict with the MSG Convention. Potluck at 6 pm, meeting at 7 pm. Grange Bees are Mary and Jim. Walter & Janice were elected delegates to the State Convention in Orono.
Sandwich Makings
A highlight of our September Meeting was the jars of PB & J that appeared as people arrived! We’ve delivered these to Bangor Savings Bank for their annual drive. You can also donate directly to any Branch before 9/30.
Dictionary Days
Members approved the purchase of dictionaries for this year’s program. We’ll be scheduling presentations and deliveries starting in mid-October. We need team members for these–it’s mostly a matter of carrying things and then helping the kids find words in their new dictionaries. Stay tuned for the schedule and consider lending a hand! Presentations are only about 45 minutes and will be held in Brownville, Dexter, Dover-Foxcroft, Guilford, and Harmony. We’re checking with Athens and the Amish School in Corinth.
Blistered Finger Knitters Knote!
We deliver hats and mittens in conjunction with Dictionary Presentations. If you have completed items, we’d appreciate receiving them by October 15, although we collect year-round. Contact any member to arrange delivery! Thanks! Keep those kneedles clicking!
Grange Gossip
Walter continues to help the Abbot Historical Society with gravestone cleaning. We have a couple of weeks left this year… Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the old village cemetery across from the Town Hall is where and when. It’s easy and fun! Supplies and instruction are included.
Mary Annis is selling raffle tickets to benefit the DUV. She will humbly admit she made the first prize Afghan.
Pat and Steve will be doing some traveling soon… we wish them a safe trip to Texas and will miss them. When they return, Pat will be busy getting ready for Craft Fairs.
The Guilford Register Magazine September Issue featured an article by Walter, “Sticker! Sticker!” It’s about some kids at an Amish Farmstand in Corinth. The October Issue will include a story about the Dover Foxcroft Kiwanis Auction.
Area Grange Events
South Sangerville Grange is holding a Bean Hole Bean Supper on October 25, 2025, from 4:30 to 6:00 pm. More information is available here.
Remember, Valley Grange is happy to publicize your event, but we have to know about it! Submit it to the MSG Website and it’ll get state-wide publicity!
Valley Grange Contacts and Resources:
(Click names to send email.) Jim Annis, Master/President – 207 564-0820 (home) Mary Annis, Secretary – 207 564-0820 (home) Walter Boomsma, Program Director/Treasurer – 207 343-1842 (cell) Janice Boomsma, Chaplain – 207 343-1496 (cell)
Valley Grange Hall’s GPS Address is 172 Guilford Center Road, Guilford. (Do not send mail here!) The Hall is located at the corner of Guilford Center Road and Butter Street.
As of today, there are 371 public schools in Maine (according to The Dictionary Project website). Of those, only 16 have a Dictionary Project Sponsor so far this year. That’s slightly over 4%.
The good news is that it’s still early in the year, and we can do better! If you have been sponsoring in the past, it’s time to start working on this year’s effort.
If you haven’t been a sponsor, this is a good year to start. For a list of unsponsored schools, visit the Dictionary Project Website. Remember, we have many great resources available on our Words for Thirds Resource Page. We’ll even provide you with your Grange’s very own logo!
There are also Rotary, Kiwanis, and Elks Clubs that sponsor schools in Maine. One possibility might be to partner with a local civic organization in your area, particularly if you’re concerned about the cost and effort involved. There are several dictionaries available to choose from. All come in cases of 24 at a cost of around $100 per case, including shipping. Obviously, much depends on school size, but you can start a powerful community service with a minimum investment!
Oxford Pomona Grange #2 is holding a Lottery Ticket and Cash Raffle! The proceeds of the raffle will be used to purchase dictionaries via the Words for Thirds program for various third-graders in Elementary Schools in Oxford County! This is an ambitious goal, and we need everyone’s help to make it happen!
The details:
Prize: $250 in Maine State Lottery Scratch Tickets and $50!
Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20.00
Drawing will be at our September 2, 2025, meeting at Porter Grange.
If anyone is interested in supporting this worthy community service program, please reach out to Steven Haycock, Secretary of Oxford Pomona at: 44 Pond Road, Raymond, Maine, or Granger04071@aol.com
Are you anticipating a Words for Thirds Dictionary Project this fall? If not, it’s a great community service project–or perhaps more accurately, a great kid service project.
According to a recent Dictionary Project Newsletter, “A study published in 2023 found that only about 67% of 3rd grade students in the US are reading at grade level. Children who don’t read proficiently by the end of third grade are four times more likely not to graduate high school on time. One contributing factor to the fall in children’s literacy is the rise in screen time, which often replaces quiet reading or meaningful conversation. Limiting screen time can help children develop stronger attention spans and focus on building their reading skills.”
The same newsletter (July 20, 2025) “Sweden went all-in on tablets in the classroom, then saw 4th grade reading scores tank. Now they’re spending 60M Euros to bring back real books, because screens weren’t helping. And here in the U.S., only 30% of 8th graders read at grade level, with writing scores just as bleak. If one of the most tech-savvy nations is pulling the plug, maybe America should start asking if screen time is quietly dumbing down a whole generation.“
Ocean View Grange is located in St George (Port Clyde), Maine
When Ocean View Master Larry Bailey reported on their successful Dictionary Day, even he may not have realized the full impact. He subsequently received an email from one of the teachers with an invitation to attend a “Community Meeting” at the school hosted by the third grade. One of the items on the agenda was a “quick thank you for your dictionary donations.”
Obviously, he went!
He was happy to report, “I admit I was genuinely impressed by what I saw and felt. The energy and excitement were palpable, the kids were clearly happy to be part of the program, and the teachers handled the huge crowd perfectly. The young speakers/announcers were great, the music was certainly upbeat and well done. I was especially taken with the videos some of the students filmed. They were classics and made me laugh…especially the one number one winner. Creative is an understatement for all of them.”
School District Superintendent Mike replied, in part, “…thanks again to the entire Grange for supporting our 3rd graders and school! The students and teachers once again did a wonderful job running the community meeting. It’s incredible to see the work our students and staff are doing, often in partnership with community organizations like the Grange!”
These partnerships can indeed be incredible. They connect our Granges with our schools and communities in powerful ways with results that make a difference. Check out the Words for Thirds Resource Page. There’s still time to set up a Dictionary Day for a school near you during Grange Month (April), but you’ll need to get started soon. We’re here to help!
It gives me a great amount of pleasure to tell you that Terry Bomba and I had a very enjoyable and rewarding trip to third-grade classrooms at St George School to present dictionaries to the students. Both rooms combined, and thus, we had 24 students to present the books to. This presentation of dictionaries is our annual Words for Thirds program. As in the past, the students seemed anxious to find out what we had to offer and really appeared to be very happy to get the books. After briefly explaining what the Grange is and what we do for our community, they asked some good questions.
One of the young girls said, “My grandmother works at the Grange.” I asked who is her grandmother and she said “Brenda Armstrong.” Brenda, while not a Grange member, has been voluntarily tending the trimming of the grass and weeds around the Grange and the beautiful flowers in the front of the Grange Hall for years. She is a gem.
I want to thank the two third-grade teachers, Lauren Wilgus and Sierra Beal, for arranging the gathering along with Mr. Felton, the School Superintendent. We hope to be there every year in the future.
Larry and Terry also received this note and permission to share it from Superintendent Felton:
I want to thank both of you for visiting the school and providing the 3rd graders with dictionaries. You all did a great job sharing the Grange’s mission and work – the kids were engaged and curious throughout your visit. And they were certainly excited about the dictionaries!
Thank you for offering this program and all you do to support our students. As a school district, our mission is to do whatever it takes to ensure that every single student thrives and to contribute to the vitality and resiliency of our town. The only way we can realize this mission is with the support of our community, of organizations like the Grange.
With sincere thanks, Mike, Superintendent, MSAD 50
For more information about the Words for Thirds Program and how your Grange, community, students, and teachers can reap these benefits, visit the Words for Thirds Resource Page.
